How we hear
Our ear is made up of three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Sound is picked up by the outer ear and sent down the ear canal to the eardrum. Sound vibrations cause the eardrum to rock back and forth. Three tiny bones in the middle ear send the sound vibrations to the inner ear. Vibrations from the middle ear cause tiny hair cells in the cochlea to move. These hair cells are connected to the hearing nerve and send the hearing signal to the brain.Types of hearing loss and causes
Conductive hearing loss: hearing loss resulting from a problem located in the outer or middle ear. May arise from excessive earwax, damage to the eardrum, ear infections, fluid in the middle ear or stiffness in the bones of the middle ear (otosclerosis).Sensorineural hearing loss: hearing loss caused by a damaged inner ear. Typical causes are ageing, noise exposure, hereditary factors, head injuries and medication that is toxic to the auditory system.
Mixed hearing loss: It is also possible to have a conductive hearing loss and a sensorineural hearing loss at the same time. In other words, there may be damage in the outer or middle ear and in the cochlea or auditory nerve.
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Hearing loss from Connect Hearing on Vimeo.
